Shia sect claims to follow the Holy Prophet (pbuh), and His holy progeny, and their teachings. Shias believe the Holy Prophet (pbuh) left a successor for the Muslim nation for… after His passing away, as the teachings of Islam were not to be limited to just His lifetime, as Islam is the completion of God's message to mankind, and is to last till the day of Judgement. Just like every other Prophet, Like Haroon (as) was appointed Prophet Musa (a.s)'s divinely chosen successor, Shias believe Imam Ali (a.s) was appointed the successor, and the Imam of the Muslim nation after the passing away of the Prophet (pbuh). The Prophet (pbuh) publicly announced Imam Ali ibn abu talib (as) as His successor on His farewell Hajj, at Ghadeer e Khum. This event is narrated in Sahih traditions and hadith narrations from all schools of thought in Islam, including the Sunni Mainstream Islam. However, after the Prophet (pbuh) passed away, an event was held at Saqifa, in which people decided to choose the next ruler after the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)'s passing away. Hence Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was chosen as the Caliph after the Prophet (pbuh). Shias claim to be loyal to the Holy Prophet (pbuh), and claim to follow Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) after the passing away of the Holy Prophet, and claim to be followers of Imam Ali (as) and the Imams, who they deem to be the divinely chosen guides of Islam, just like Prophets. While the mainstream Sunni Islam doesn't deem anyone to be infallible after Prophets. Through centuries, Shia sect further divided into many sects, like fivers, sixers & twelvers. Twelver sect believes in 12 Imams, the last they call Imam Mahdi (a.s), who they think is present and living Imam, and is also known in them as the saviour in Islam, who will rule the earth, and establish justice, before the Day of Judgement. (While Sunni mainstream Islam followers believe in Mahdi; The guided one, whose name will be Muhammed ibn AbduLLah, progeny of Rasool Allah (salaLLAhu alehi WA alhi wassalam) through Hassan (may Allah be pleased with him), his emergence in end times as a leader of Ummah & his removal of injustice from the whole wide world. Believing in his natural birth in those times - they don't believe in his retuning from a cave though.)

Muslims in world are near 80% sunni and near 20% shia. researchers have counted up to 260 sect for Islam that they all belong to categories Sunni and shia. the main category o…f Shia is 12 Imami shia and other sects of shia are nearly extincted. there is at least 300,000,000 shia Muslims in world, but there is no clear stat. shias always have been controlled and killed during history and so usually they hide their beliefs. all 12 Imams of shia have been killed or spent their life in prison by Omayyads and Abbasids.

Shia Islam encompasses most Muslims who are not counted among the Sunni. The division between Sunni and Shi'a, dates to the death of the Prophet Muhammad when his followers we…re faced with the decision of who would be his successor as the leader of Islam. Shi'ites are those who followed Ali, the closest relative of Muhammad, as Muhammad's successor. Today there are approximately 120 million Shi'ite Muslims in the world. The Shia consist of one major school of thought known as the Jafaryia or the "Twelvers," and a few minor schools of thought, as the "Seveners" or the "Fivers." These names all refer to the number of imams they recognize after the death of Muhammad. The term Shi'a is usually meant to be synonymous with the Jafaryia/Twelvers. The Imams The distinctive dogma and institution of Shia Islam is the Imamate, which includes the idea that the successor of Muhammad be more than merely a political leader. The Imam must also be a spiritual leader, which means that he must have the ability to interpret the inner mysteries of the Quran and the sharia. The Twelver Shias further believe that the Twelve Imams who succeeded the Prophet were sinless and free from error and had been chosen by God through Muhammad. The Imamate began with Ali, who is also accepted by Sunni Muslims as the fourth of the "rightly guided caliphs" to succeed the Prophet. Shias revere Ali as the First Imam, and his descendants, beginning with his sons Hasan and Husayn (also seen as Hosein), continue the line of the Imams until the Twelfth, who is believed to have ascended into a supernatural state to return to earth on judgment day. Shias point to the close lifetime association of Muhammad with Ali. When Ali was six years old, he was invited by the Prophet to live with him, and Shias believe Ali was the first person to make the declaration of faith in Islam. Ali also slept in Muhammad's bed on the night of the hijra, or migration from Mecca to Medina, when it was feared that the house would be attacked by unbelievers and the Prophet stabbed to death. He fought in all the battles Muhammad did except one, and the Prophet chose him to be the husband of his favorite daughter, Fatima. In Sunni Islam an imam is the leader of congregational prayer. Among the Shias of Iran the term imam traditionally has been used only for Ali and his eleven descendants. None of the Twelve Imams, with the exception of Ali, ever ruled an Islamic government. During their lifetimes, their followers hoped that they would assume the rulership of the Islamic community, a rule that was believed to have been wrongfully usurped. Because the Sunni caliphs were cognizant of this hope, the Imams generally were persecuted during the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties. Therefore, the Imams tried to be as unobtrusive as possible and to live as far as was reasonable from the successive capitals of the Islamic empire. During the ninth century Caliph Al Mamun, son of Caliph Harun ar Rashid, was favorably disposed toward the descendants of Ali and their followers. He invited the Eighth Imam, Reza (A.D. 765-816), to come from Medina to his court at Marv (Mary in the present-day Soviet Union). While Reza was residing at Marv, Mamun designated him as his successor in an apparent effort to avoid conflict among Muslims. Reza's sister Fatima journeyed from Medina to be with her brother but took ill and died at Qom. A shrine developed around her tomb, and over the centuries Qom has become a major Shia pilgrimage and theology center. Mamun took Reza on his military campaign to retake Baghdad from political rivals. On this trip Reza died unexpectedly in Khorasan. Reza was the only Imam to reside or die in what is now Iran. A major shrine, and eventually the city of Mashhad, grew up around his tomb, which has become the most important pilgrimage center in Iran. Several important theological schools are located in Mashhad, associated with the shrine of the Eighth Imam. Reza's sudden death was a shock to his followers, many of whom believed that Mamun, out of jealousy for Reza's increasing popularity, had him poisoned. Mamun's suspected treachery against Reza and his family tended to reinforce a feeling already prevalent among his followers that the Sunni rulers were untrustworthy. The Twelfth Imam is believed to have been only five years old when the Imamate descended upon him in 874 CE at the death of his father. The Twelfth Imam is usually known by his titles of Imam-e Asr (the Imam of the Age) and Sahib az Zaman (the Lord of Time). Because his followers feared he might be assassinated, the Twelfth Imam was hidden from public view and was seen only by a few of his closest deputies. Sunnis claim that he never existed or that he died while still a child. Shias believe that the Twelfth Imam remained on earth, but hidden from the public, for about 70 years, a period they refer to as the "lesser occultation" (gheybat-e sughra). Shias also believe that the Twelfth Imam has never died, but disappeared from earth in about 939 CE. Since that time the "greater occultation" (gheybat-e kubra) of the Twelfth Imam has been in force and will last until God commands the Twelfth Imam to manifest himself on earth again as the Mahdi, or Messiah. Shias believe that during the greater occultation of the Twelfth Imam he is spiritually present--some believe that he is materially present as well-- and he is besought to reappear in various invocations and prayers. His name is mentioned in wedding invitations, and his birthday is one of the most jubilant of all Shia religious observances

Answer 1 They are both Muslims. What applies to any Muslim couple to marry, per religion and community practices and cultures, applies also to them. Answer 2 within A…llah's (SW) eyes there are no distinctions or differences between a king or begger or a Sunni Muslim or Shia Muslim. it is a terrible thing that there is these distinctions within the Islamic community but getting back to you question. Honestly there might be hesitance on your parents and his parents and your respective communities and know that there are differences in some of shia and sunni practices. this question is a difficult one to answer since i believe there really isn't anything saying that a Muslim cannot marry another Muslim regardless of what sect of Islam they are from but sadly some cultures do not accept this. my best advice really would be to you to talk to your parents and him in the the meanwhile try the link below though a little confusing to navigate this site is truly remarkable as one can ask a question about islam and get thorough and great advice from professionals who are islamic scholars. A sunni Muslim can not marry a shia Muslim,because it causes more conflict between them.Even though they are both Muslims it can cause lots of family issues. Answer 3Sure they can. There is no problem of licit marriage among Shia Muslims and Sunni Muslims. Both Islamic sects differ in minor side issue. They both believe in same God, recite same Quran, and perform same praying, fasting, alms giving, pilgrimage. They believe in same prophet; Muhammad (peace be upon him. They both believe in the Resurrection Day, in Hell and Paradise, in angels, in God holy books, in God other prophets, and in God destiny. The differences between Shia Muslims and Sunnis Muslims are not like the differences between the Catholics and Orthodox Christians although many Orthodox and Catholics marry licitly among themselves.

Islam is the religion preached by all the Prophets of Allah Karim. Islam is neither Sunni nor Shiita. The last Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (SAW) preached Islam and his hol…y Companions (May Allah Karim be pleased with him) practised Islam during and after his life time. Very unfortunately, conspiracies worked and there was a split after the death of the Fourth Rightful Caliph Hazrat Ali (May Allah be pleased with him). There was no Shiia SECT during the reign of first three Rightful Caliphs. Hazrat Ali (RAU) in whose name this sect was created had been a sincere and active adviser of these three Caliphs. How can he be such a coward to hide his True self during all these years of his life? He and all the members of his family had been receiving stipends from these three Caliphs. How could he receive all favours from them if he didn't consider them to be Rightful? Was he a hypocrite? No, He was much above this meanness. He was the Lion Of Allah Almighty. All the Muslims, included the Sunnies, respect and love him from the depths of their hearts. The love of Ahl-i-Bait is the foundation of Each Muslim.

Muslims in world are near 80% sunni and near 20% shia. researchers have counted up to 260 sect for Islam that they all belong to categories Sunni and shia. the main category o…f Shia is 12 Imami shia and other sects of shia are nearly extincted. there is at least 300,000,000 shia Muslims in world, but there is no clear stat. shias always have been controlled and killed during history and so usually they hide their beliefs. all 12 Imams of shia have been killed or spent their life in prison by Omayyads and Abbasids.

Shia and Sunni have mostly same beliefs and both believe in fundamental beliefs of Islam. Today there is up to 260 sects in Islam that are in two main categories of shia and s…unni. the conflict of shia and sunni has been always amplified by world Imperialism to prevent Islam from gaining power. Shia believes in Allah, prophet and all fundamentals of Islam. Shia pray 5 times a day but usually do the 2, 3 and 4, 5 pray together and so may seem they do only 3 pray a day. there is some differences in details of pray like genuflect (for shia should be on a stone or part of earth and for sunni on carpet or floor ). shia believe after death of prophet God selected the successive for prophet who is the political leader of Muslim community and people can not and does not the right to selected it. Shia believes the Caliph (Representative of God in earth) is selected only by God and can not be selected by people because God said in Koran: "Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority" (Quran 2:30) or "O David! We did indeed make thee a vicegerent on earth" (Quran 38:26) also other verses. Shia believes such verses means only God can select an Islamic political leader (Caliph). In Shia Islam Caliphs after prophet are 12 Imams and all of them are the same and have no mistake and have the knowledge of everything (not absolute knowledge like knowledge of God) and they hear all sayings and even thinks of all humans after even after their death by permission of God and they are intermediates between God and human Shia Muslims always support them and forgive their lives for them. Shia Muslims do not consider selection of Abubakr as Caliph by people valid because God did not select him. They believe God ordered prophet to declare people that Ali is selected as successor of prophet and prophet did this mission many times during his prophet-hood and mainly in Ghadir event after last Hajj of his life at a 3-4 hour speech in front of 120,000 Muslims at Ghadir in hot desert after 2 days stop of long caravan for gathering and 3 days after speech for congratulations and homage of Muslims to Ali. Islam at that time had high power in world and Some companions had high interest in leadership position after prophet. Muslims knew that it is the final Hajj of prophet (predicted by prophet) and were going along with prophet to hear what prophet says at end of his life. Shia believes Ghadir event is the most important event of Islam and is mentioned in Koran in many verses like "Today" (اليوم) in verse 5:3 of Quran is the day of Ghadir. Or Verse 5:67 (O Messenger! proclaim the (message) which hath been sent to thee from thy Lord. If thou didst not, thou wouldst not have fulfilled and proclaimed His mission. And Allah will defend thee from men (who mean mischief). For Allah guideth not those who reject Faith) is revealed at Ghadir day and is about declaring political leadership of Ali after prophet. Both Sunni and Shia Muslims accept happening of Ghadir event But different interpret. Some Sunni writers tried to reject the event of Ghadir as declare of leadership of Ali and said at Ghadir prophet only wanted to say Ali is my friend and no one should bother him. Ali had 3 different missions to Yemen by prophet during 10 years and in 2 of them some companions of prophet had some conflicts with Ali and and prophet said some sayings about Ali to solve conflicts and some sunni writers have mixed stories of missions of Ali to Yemen with story of Ghadir to prove Ghadir event is not about Leadership of Ali and is not important. Shia scholars believe some Sunni writers have changed and deviated historical evidences about political leadership of Ali in old historical books and republished them to destroy evidences of leadership of Ali from old Sunni books. The famous Shia book Al-Ghadir (الغدير) by Allameh Amini is a collection of evidences and proofs for Ghadir Events written after referring to 100,000 Sunni books and full reading of 10,000 sunny books. Allameh Amini is a famous Shia scholar and spent 40 years of his life in travelling to access original old Sunni books in libraries in different countries to write this 20 volume book only from Sunni books and not using any Shia book. Some Sunni scholars tried to reply this book but then said if we want to reply this book we should first destroy all books of ourselves. Shia doctrine have root in Karbala tragedy. When tragedy of Karbala happened most of Iranians understood there is two different kinds of Islam and after happening of Karbala tragedy most of Iranians became followers of "Ahl al-Bayt" and forgive their lives for them like what they did in Iranian Revolution and Iran-Iraq War. Shia Muslims have at least 120,000 Hadith (saying) from The Fourteen Infallibles that is the base of Shia Islam along with Quran. Shia believes according to " Hadith of the two weighty things" The Fourteen Infallibles are the only valid interpreters of Quran and sayings of them are from God because they are Representative of God in earth and they do not say anything from themselves. Shia believes 12th of them (Mahdi) is alive and because people have killed all 11 Imams before him, he is in hide like Jesus and will come out of hide toghether with Jesus when people become ready and want to accept his leadership. All 11 Imams have been killed and during their life thy all have been in prison or under hard control of government to not have any political action. They never had enough serious followers to can get political power. Among them only the sixth Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq was relatively free in his life to have only scientific activities (but banned from any political action) and so only he is known in west because he established university and had students from all over the world. Westerns know him as a polymath: an astronomer, alchemist, Imam, Islamic scholar, Islamic theologian, writer, philosopher, physician, physicist and scientist. He was also the teacher of the famous chemist, Jābir ibn Hayyān (Geber), and of Abū Ḥanīfa, the founder of the Hanafi school of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence. He never wanted be a famous man and only shared his knowledge with who wanted to learn. Some researchers consider his teachings the root cause of renaissance. Sunni Muslims also accept Mahdi and his worldwide leadership as Caliph of God in earth at end of world. There is a famous Hadith from prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that Mahdi at hide is like sun behind cloud, he is hidden from people but people receive his benefits. Shia Muslims say some faithful believers have connection with Mahdi and use his knowledge. Shia Muslims believe that it is proved at least 1000 persons have had connection and talk with Mahdi during his hide period but Any one having relation with Mahdi keep it and does not declare it in public until is alive.

near 70% if Iraq population are shia. shia Muslims live in many countries. Iran is the main Shia county and the leader of Shia Islam in world. Shia Islam constitute the majo…rity of the population in Iran (90%), Azerbaijan (75%), Bahrain (30%), Lebanon (65% of Muslims) and Iraq (65%), Yemen (45%). Other countries with a significant proportion of Shia are Syria (15%), Kuwait (35%), Pakistan (20%), India (23% of Muslims), Afghanistan (15%), Saudi Arabia (18%), Turkey (20%), United Arab Emirates (16%), Qatar (15%), Albania(25%). other Muslim countries are mainly sunni with minor shia population. Qum in Iran and Najaf in iraq are two main city of Shia Islam.

Most Shiite Chinese are considered Hui and many practice Taqiyya or religious dissimulation (basically they pretend to be Sunni in public) in order to avoid persecution. The C…hinese government has often not been friendly with Shiite Muslims, believing them to be responsible for Muslim-on-Muslim Wars in Xinjiang (while, the Chinese government mistakenly believes that the Sunni Ghalchas and Uighurs are innocent in this matter). As a result, numbers are quite hard to come by. In terms of general information, most Chinese Shiites are the Ismaili Tajiks of the Tashkurgan and Sariqul areas of Xinjiang. The Shias of the Imami branch are numerous in Yunnan and Guangxi provinces. Additionally, there are some Shiites who are recent immigrants from Iran, Lebanon, and other countries with large Shiite populations.

Muslims in world are near 80% sunni and near 20% shia. researchers have counted up to 260 sect for Islam that they all belong to categories Sunni and shia. the main catego…ry of Shia is 12 Imami shia and other sects of shia are nearly extincted. there is at least 300,000,000 shia Muslims in world, but there is no clear stat. shias always have been controlled and killed during history and so usually they hide their beliefs. all 12 Imams of shia have been killed or spent their life in prison by Omayyads and Abbasids.